Intro
Virata Parva is the story of the Pandavas thirteenth year in exile disguised as Vaishya
https://crackpot.substack.com/t/virata
As It Rhymes
1.
Vaishampayana said,
A blazing form appeared at Virata’s gate.
He rolled like a lion and wielded an unsheathed ladle.
2.
Bhima beamed like the sun glows.
Bhima wore dark clothes.
Bhima loomed like a mountain pose.
3.
King Virata marveled at Bhima.
Virata asked his assembly to opine on him.
Virata asked if anyone had a line on him.
4.
Forgetting him would be like forgetting the sun.
I want to know with certainty from whence he’s come.
5.
Maybe he is a rock star Gandharva.
Maybe he is Purandara.
Don’t wait to identify the stranger.
6.
Virata’s men jumped into gear.
Virata’s men approached Bhima and repeated the King’s words for his ear.
7.
Pandava Bhima proceeded to meet King Virata.
Bhima said, ‘I am the cook Ballava.’
8.
Virata scoffed,
‘I can see with my own eyes you are no cook.
Your arms are ready made to throw the book.’
9.
Bhima said,
‘I swear to Indra my food services are tight.
My vittles taste right.
I once fed Yudhishthira and all.
But the times changed from good to downfall.
10.
I am a beast of muscle.
I never tire.
I box and wrestle.
I best lion and elephant in a tussle.’
11.
Virata said,
‘Say no more. You’re hired!
You will hustle and bustle.
12.
Dead ass my castle kitchen is yours to grub rustle.
You will boss my kitchen from chop-chop to dinner plate.’
13.
Vaishampayana said,
Then Bhima lived in Virata, reborn as Ballava.
Ballava became dear to Virata.
No one addressed him as Bhima.
No spies would catch wind of him.
Notes
[1] Vaishampayana, ibid.